If you are a homeowner, you've probably spent money on your property over and above the regular carrying costs.  Investing in your  property has the obvious benefits of making your home nicer to live in, but smart renovations can also have the side benefit of increasing a home’s value when it comes time to sell. Below is a list of some of the home renovations that have been shown to add the most to a home’s value, as well as some renovations to avoid.

Flooring

Flooring can be a costly renovation, but can also add to a home’s value if it is done properly. Generally speaking, wall-to-wall carpeting is not as desirable as it once was, and some potential buyers may even see it as a nuisance that they will have to replace. Hardwood floors, and tiled floors for bathrooms, on the other hand are in higher demand and are likely to increase your home’s value. A particularly easy way to do this is to refinish existing hardwood floors, getting the benefit at a much lower cost than installing new ones.

Fixtures

Fixtures are a bit more complicated when it comes to improving the value of your home. Generally speaking, installing new fixtures will improve your home’s value up to a certain point. It is worth adding in new fixtures or updating old ones that improve the function and look of a room, especially the bathroom and kitchen, like new faucets and light fixtures. However, spending extra money on high-end fixtures and appliances will likely end up costing you more money in the long run, since they may not match a potential buyer’s plans. High-end upgrades don’t generally increase a home’s value if they are inconsistent with the rest of the home, and specific high-end features like media rooms or swimming pools rarely make back their cost.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

The kitchen and bathrooms are some of the most important rooms in a house in terms of value, and are worth paying attention to when it comes time to renovate. Renovations to these rooms often add to the home’s value, as long as they are functional and not purely decorative improvements, and adding a bathroom to a home can increase the value substantially. When aiming to improve a home’s value, the kitchen and bathrooms should be one of the first places to look. Updating fixtures, replacing older plumbing and making everything look clean and functional are good steps to a more valuable home.

Income Suites & Coach Houses

The single greatest improvement you can make to your home’s value will be through the addition of an income suite or a coach house. By converting a basement into a rental unit or adding a coach house, you can bring in supplemental income while you are still living in your house. An income suite is also a valuable thing when it comes time to sell, since it is a wise investment for potential homebuyers as well. Of course it's vital that an income suite meets all code requirements, and that any permits or other necessary paperwork is properly completed. Otherwise it could go from being a big improvement to a big problem!

Renovating for Profit? Speak to a Professional

When renovating for profit, it is always a good idea to speak with a professional in the Ottawa real estate market, since they will know what homebuyers are looking for and will guide you on the value of your home before and after a potential renovation.  It also helps to remember that increasing the value of a home is a wise move, but it is also good to pay attention to what you want your home to look like while you are living in it.